Freeman HKD | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Freeman, HKD Boss, Doctor we Magitare, Sly |
| Born | Emegy Sylvester Chizanga June 22, 1988 |
| Origin | Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Genres | Zimdancehall, Afro-Dancehall |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, record label executive |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Label | HKD Records |
Emegy Sylvester Chizanga (born 22 June 1988), known professionally as Freeman HKD or HKD Boss, is a Zimbabwean Zimdancehall artist, songwriter, and record label executive. He rose to national prominence with his hit single "Joina City" in 2013 and has since become one of the most prolific and decorated artists in Zimdancehall, releasing over fifteen studio albums. [1] [2]
Freeman has won multiple National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), including Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album for David & Goliath in 2023, and numerous Zimdancehall Awards. [3] He is the founder of HKD Records and in 2024 launched the inaugural HKD Festival. [4]
Freeman was born in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province of Zimbabwe, into a family of six. He grew up in Bindura town, where he attended his early education. [5] Before pursuing music, he played professional football for Mwana Africa F.C. in the first division and also worked as a butcher boy in the Waterfalls area of Harare. [6]
Freeman began recording in 2009, with his first track "Unondipa Rudo" produced by WeMaNuff Nhubu. As an underground artist, he recorded several tracks including "Ellen," "Mapatya," "Mhuka Nhatu," and "Murondatsimba." In 2010, he was introduced to Hillary Mutake of PunchLINE Entertainment by DJ Staera, which led to his first public performance at a high school in Banket. [7]
His big break came with the release of "Joina City" (featuring Cally C), which became a major radio hit across Zimbabwe. He was subsequently listed among the 100 most influential young Zimbabweans of 2013. [8] In 2012, he established HKD Records, a record label that has housed artists including DaRuler, Delroy, Maggikal, Black Warrior, and Crystal. He released four studio albums during this period: Tapinda Mustaera (2011), Last Man Standing (2012), Vabeliver (2013), and New Chapta (2014). [9] [10] At the 2014 Zimdancehall Awards, New Chapta won Album of the Year. [11]
Freeman consolidated his position with annual album releases: Varidzi Vezvinhu (2015), Mangoma Ihobho (2016), Top Striker (2017), and Mukuru WeKambani (2018). [12] He won the Zimdancehall Ambassador award in both 2015 and 2016, and at the 2016 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, he was named International Music Artist of the Year. [13] [14]
In 2017, Freeman collaborated with Jamaican reggae artist Anthony B on "Time To Get Rich," expanding his profile internationally. [15] He also performed overseas in the United Kingdom alongside artists such as Tocky Vibes and Nox Guni. The 2017 Zimdancehall Awards recognised Top Striker as Best Album and HKD Records as Best Stable. [16]
The album Gango (2019) marked a creative peak for Freeman. Its lead single "Ngaibake," a collaboration with sungura legend Alick Macheso, became a cross-genre phenomenon, winning Song of the Year at the 2019 Zimdancehall Awards and the Star FM Music Awards, while also being named the most played song on radio. [17] [18] Gango won Album of the Year at the Zimdancehall Awards and earned NAMA nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Music Video. [19] At the 2019–20 Zimbabwe Music Awards, Freeman won Best Music Video and Best Zimdancehall Artist for "Ngaibake." [20]
In 2020, he released the mixtape Freeman & Friends, featuring collaborations with Mambo Dhuterere, Tamy Moyo, Ti Gonzi, Gemma Griffiths, Baba Harare, Mai Titi, Takura, and Sandra Ndebele, among others. [21] He won Best Male Artist at the 2020 Zimdancehall Awards. [22]
Freeman released Robbery in 2021, followed by David & Goliath in 2022. At the 2023 National Arts Merit Awards, David & Goliath earned him two major wins: Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album, cementing his status as one of the most recognised Zimdancehall artists at the national level. [3]
He released Trophy in 2023, which earned him further NAMA nominations in 2024 for Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album. [23] The Trophy album's success also led to concert appearances across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
In October 2024, Freeman launched the inaugural HKD Festival at Alex Sports Club in Harare, coinciding with the release of his thirteenth studio album Me vs Me (16 tracks). The festival featured a lineup including Voltz JT, Poptain, Feli Nandi, Master H, Tamy Moyo, Takura, Nutty O, and Holy Ten. [4] Freeman described the album's concept as being about competing with himself and embracing personal growth.
Me vs Me earned two nominations at the 2025 NAMA Awards — Outstanding Male Musician and Outstanding Album — though both awards went to Master H and Voltz JT respectively. [24]
In October 2025, he released his fifteenth studio album The Notebook (12 tracks), featuring collaborations with Atenda Chinx, Zambian artist Yo Maps, and others. [25]
For the 2026 NAMA Awards, Freeman has again been nominated for Outstanding Male Musician alongside Minister Michael Mahendere and Jah Prayzah. [26]
In 2012, Freeman established HKD Records, a record label based in Harare that has housed numerous popular and award-winning Zimdancehall artists. Artists signed to or associated with HKD Records have included DaRuler, Delroy, Vivian, Black Warrior, Crystal, and Maggikal. [27] Freeman is commonly referred to as "HKD Boss" due to his role as the label's founder.
In July 2017, Freeman was convicted of deliberately supplying false information to a public authority after lying to the Registrar General's Department that his passport had been stolen, when it was in fact with the British Embassy for a visa application. He pleaded guilty before Harare Magistrate Joy Chikodzero and was fined US$50 or 30 days imprisonment. Freeman told the court his actions were motivated by greed, as he needed a second passport to travel to Cape Town for a show while his first was being processed for a UK visa. [28]
In December 2023, Zimbabwe Republic Police's CID Homicide division detained Freeman for interrogation over alleged associations with suspected armed robbers. The police confirmed that the investigation related to his links with individuals involved in criminal activities, though he was released after questioning without being charged. [29] [30]
In April 2023, Freeman established Gallis FC, a football team. In September 2023, he founded a second team, Gallis Legends, which he captains. Neither team currently competes in a formal league, but they participate in various tournaments.
Freeman has served as a brand ambassador for Chicken Slice Zimbabwe and Invictus Fitness Centre.
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tapinda Mustaera | |
| 2012 | Last Man Standing | |
| 2013 | Vabeliver | |
| 2014 | New Chapta | Zimdancehall Awards Album of the Year |
| 2015 | Varidzi Vezvinhu | |
| 2016 | Mangoma Ihobho | |
| 2017 | Top Striker | Zimdancehall Awards Best Album |
| 2018 | Mukuru WeKambani | |
| 2019 | Gango | Zimdancehall Awards Album of the Year; NAMA nominated |
| 2021 | Robbery | |
| 2022 | David & Goliath | NAMA Outstanding Album winner (2023) |
| 2023 | Trophy | NAMA Outstanding Album nominated (2024) |
| 2024 | Me vs Me | 16 tracks; NAMA Outstanding Album nominated (2025) |
| 2025 | The Notebook | 12 tracks; featuring Yo Maps, Atenda Chinx |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Joina City" (feat. Cally C) | Breakthrough hit |
| 2013 | "Shaina" | Radio chart hit |
| 2014 | "Bata Ruwoko Rwangu" | 8 weeks on radio charts |
| 2017 | "Time To Get Rich" (feat. Anthony B) | International collaboration |
| 2018 | "Mbuya Nehanda" (feat. Nutty O) | |
| 2019 | "Ngaibake" (feat. Alick Macheso) | Song of the Year (Zimdancehall Awards & Star FM); most played on radio |
| 2019 | "Nzenza" (feat. Ex-Q) | Most played song on radio (Star FM) |
| 2020 | "Kutenda" (feat. Mambo Dhuterere) | Gospel crossover |
| 2021 | "iParty" (feat. Sandra Ndebele) | |
| 2021 | "Pombi" | Trended on YouTube within 2 hours of release |
| 2024 | "Jegera" (feat. Master H) | |
| 2024 | "Fire Brigade" |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outstanding Male Musician | Freeman HKD | Nominated |
| Outstanding Album | Gango | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Music Video | "Ngaibake" | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Outstanding Male Musician | Freeman HKD | Won |
| Outstanding Album | David & Goliath | Won | |
| 2024 | Outstanding Male Musician | Freeman HKD | Nominated |
| Outstanding Album | Trophy | Nominated | |
| 2025 | Outstanding Male Musician | Freeman HKD | Nominated |
| Outstanding Album | Me vs Me | Nominated | |
| 2026 | Outstanding Male Musician | Freeman HKD | Pending |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Male Artist of the Year | Freeman HKD | Nominated |
| 2014 | Album of the Year | New Chapta | Won |
| 2015 | Zimdancehall Ambassador | Freeman HKD | Won |
| 2016 | Zimdancehall Ambassador | Freeman HKD | Won |
| 2017 | Best Album | Top Striker | Won |
| Best Stable | HKD Records | Won | |
| 2019 | Album of the Year | Gango | Won |
| Song of the Year | "Ngaibake" | Won | |
| 2020 | Best Male Artist | Freeman HKD | Won |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Best Music Video | "Ngaibake" | Won |
| Best Zimdancehall Artist | Freeman HKD | Won | |
| Best Collaboration | "Ngaibake" (feat. Alick Macheso) | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Male Artist of the Year | Freeman HKD | Nominated |
Freeman married Barbra Chinhema in 2012, after dating for six years. [33] [34]